Strong and stable on the lucrative circuit

News that Theresa May has made more than a million pounds on the lecture circuit since quitting as Prime Minister may surprise some.

They may be equally surprised by rumours she may publish the ultimate strategic leadership book this Summer. Provisional title: “MAY I lead you to the (Br)exit – Ten Tips for Purpose-Driven and Collegial Leadership” (I made this bit up but you get the idea). Probably leadership book of the year, haha!  

But then some would say, if her predecessors have done this sort of thing, why shouldn’t she? What’s worse, Blair managing to buy a multi-million-pound property soon after leaving office? Clegg getting millions at Facebook? Or a Chancellor who became a newspaper editor (with no journalistic experience) in addition to numerous other jobs?   

Some leaders (a certain US president comes to mind) seem to think that their occupying the top job is akin to winning some sort of TV talent show, with the ‘winner’ cashing in on leaving. We’ve seen a number of unedifying examples of this, with the result that the integrity of the office is further diminished. 

I was never a huge fan of Theresa May as PM, nor during her time as Home Secretary. However, everything is relative. If asked, who would you rather be in charge of managing the current pandemic, I don’t doubt there are some who might even choose May over Johnson…  

So, all things considered, I don’t have a problem with this. She got the job, did the time and is entitled to capitalise on the experience. However, I’d also like to make the following recommendations. Firstly, you shouldn’t become an MP before the age of 30 so you build up some life experience. Secondly, whilst you are an MP, you shouldn’t have another job, consultancy, directorship or whatever to keep things open and transparent. After all, you’re paid to be an MP, to work in the Commons and on behalf of your constituents, NOT yourselves.  

End of rant. Next, umm, “scandal”, please! 

Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘No Safe Place’, ‘Betrayal’, ‘The Girl in the Woods’, ‘The Girl in the Red Dress’, ‘No Way Back’, ‘Landscape of Lies’, ‘Retribution’, ‘Soul Stealer’, ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.net) available online as an ebook (€0.99;£0.99), i-book, paperback & audiobook. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity